Will Smith is opening up about the biggest misstep he believes he made while raising his children. In a recent appearance on Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda, the actor and rapper shared a candid reflection on a parenting method he once believed in but now calls a major mistake.
“We made a very very very terrible mistake with our children, and we went with radical honesty. But don’t do it, I’m not advocating for it, I’m not advocating for it,” Smith admitted. “We made a deal from really young with our kids. The deal was if you tell the truth, you won’t get in trouble.”
Smith explained that the idea was meant to build trust between him and his children. However, in practice, the approach led to more complications than clarity.
“The only way you can get in trouble in this house is if we find out you did something and you don’t tell the truth. It’s a mistake, it’s terrible. Because they do whatever they want and then just come tell you. It’s awful, don’t try it. You want your kids to lie, definitely, you don’t want to know some of the stuff your kids are thinking of doing.”
In case you missed it, Smith is a father of three. His eldest son, Trey, 32, is from his previous marriage to Sheree Zampino. He also shares Jaden, 26, and Willow, 24, with his wife Jada. All three of his children have grown up in the spotlight and have been praised for their creativity and individuality.
Outside of family matters, Smith has recently returned to music. His latest project, Based on a True Story – Season 1: Rave in the Wasteland, marks his first album release in two decades. The album seamlessly blends personal storytelling with vibrant production, signaling a new creative chapter for the multi-talented star.